Mathraki (Greek: Μαθράκι, Ancient Greek: Μαθράκιον) is an island and a former community of the Ionian Islands, Greece. It is one of the Diapontian Islands. Since the 2019 local government reform, it is part of the municipality of Central Corfu and Diapontian Islands, of which it is a municipal unit.[2] The municipal unit has an area of 3.532 km2.[3] Mathraki is a 45-minute boat ride off the coast of Corfu (4 NM from Cape Arilas). It has three restaurants that double as general stores, villas and "rooms to let". Mathraki is a quiet island that manages to stay clear of tourists except for the occasional hikers that brave the rocky coastline. The municipal unit includes the three nearby islets Diakopo, Diaplo and Tracheia.
Mathraki
Μαθράκι | |
|---|---|
 The Diapontian islands, with Mathraki on the left | |
  Mathraki Location within the regional unit  | |
| Coordinates: 39°46′N 19°31′E / 39.767°N 19.517°E | |
| Country | Greece |
| Administrative region | Ionian Islands |
| Regional unit | Corfu |
| Municipality | Central Corfu and Diapontian Islands |
| Area | |
| • Municipal unit | 3.532 km2 (1.364 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 152 m (499 ft) |
| Population (2021)[1] | |
| • Municipal unit | 174 |
| • Municipal unit density | 49/km2 (130/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (EEST) |
| Postal code | 491 00 |
| Area code(s) | 26630 |
| Vehicle registration | ΚΥ |
| Website | mathraki.net |
History
edit
Mathraki was inhabited since the 16th century by settlers from the nearby islands of Paxoi and Othonoi. The origin of its name is unknown, but according to a popular tradition, derives from anthrakia, because in the past the island had been burnt.[4] It became part of Greece in 1864, when the Ionian islands were ceded to Greece by the British. Today it is a serene and tranquil place for holidays. In 2021, the only elementary school of the island re-opened after 21 years with only one student.[5]
Historical population
edit| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 297 |
| 2011 | 329 |
| 2021 | 174 |
References
edit- ^ "Αποτελέσματα Απογραφής Πληθυσμού - Κατοικιών 2021, Μόνιμος Πληθυσμός κατά οικισμό" [Results of the 2021 Population - Housing Census, Permanent population by settlement] (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority. 29 March 2024.
- ^ "Τροποποίηση του άρθρου 1 του ν. 3852/2010" [Amendment of Article 1 of l. 3852/2010] (in Greek). Government Gazette. p. 1164.
- ^ "Population & housing census 2001 (incl. area and average elevation)" (PDF) (in Greek). National Statistical Service of Greece. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-09-21.
- ^ "Στο λιμάνι της γαλήνης". kathimerini.gr. 22 May 2010. Retrieved 21 June 2015.
- ^ IEFIMERIDA.GR, NEWSROOM (2021-09-15). "Ανοιξε μετά από 21 χρόνια το σχολείο στο νησί Μαθράκι, με έναν μαθητή, τον Τάσο -Συγκίνηση στον αγιασμό [βίντεο] | ΕΛΛΑΔΑ". iefimerida.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 2021-09-15.
External links
edit- Official site from Local Authority Official site from Mathraki Local Authority (Languages Greek-English-Italian
- Official site from Prefecture of Corfu Official site from Prefecture of Corfu (multi language)
- Website for Mathraki Island www.mathraki.net [1]
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